Deaths of American citizens in Canada require less involvement from the U.S. Embassy or consulates than would be the case if the death occurred in many other countries. Funeral Homes in Canada are generally well versed on the requirements of shipping remains to the U.S. as the Customs regulations involved in the preparation of the remains for transportation are similar in both countries. Therefore, in the case of the death of an American citizen in Canada, a local funeral home can complete the necessary paperwork to export the remains to the United States or to prepare the remains for local burial without the immediate involvement of the U.S. Embassy or consulate.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates do provide Consular Reports of Death Abroad to the next of kin upon request. Although the Consular Report of Death Abroad is not required in order to repatriate the remains or arrange local burial, it may be required in connection with settling an estate in the United States, in completing Social Security Administration formalities and in dealing with offices such as attorneys and insurance companies, who may not recognize a Canadian death certificate as an official document.
In order to obtain a Consular Report of Death Abroad, it is best to contact the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in the jurisdiction in which the death occurred for further information. Generally, the next of kin will be required to provide evidence of the U.S. citizenship of the deceased, such as a passport or birth certificate; a death certificate from the hospital, signed by the attending physician or the provincial death certificate; and the death certificate issued by the funeral home. The hospital or provincial certificate must state the cause of death. Several copies of the Consular Report of Death Abroad can be issued. There is no charge for this service.
Additional information is provided by the U.S. State Dept. at the page linked above. Contact the appropriate U.S. Consulate, according to the location where the death occurred.
